James Foster Neal

Originally published in the Britannica Book of the Year.Presented as archival content.

Last Updated:

1-12-2011

James Foster Neal, (born Sept. 7, 1929, Oak Grove, Tenn.—died Oct. 21, 2010, Nashville, Tenn.) American lawyer who litigated a series of high-profile cases. He joined the Justice Department in 1961 and led the prosecution team that in 1964 won a guilty verdict against Teamsters Union head Jimmy Hoffa. Neal returned to private practice, but in May 1973 special prosecutor Archibald Cox asked him to join the Watergate investigation. Neal served as lead prosecutor in the ensuing trial, in which four officials in the administration of U.S. Pres. Richard M. Nixon were found guilty of having concealed the White House’s involvement in ... (100 of 159 words)